What is it Like to Attend University of Washington

What is it Like to Attend University of Washington The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Sebastian is a 2012 graduate of University of Washington and currently specializes inOrganic Chemistry tutoring in Seattle. He acquired his Bachelors degree in General Biology. See what he had to say about his school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Sebastian: Overall, the transportation was very good. If you were to travel there by car, there are plenty of parking places, but you do have to pay for them, so travelling by car is a bit expensive. People who live nearby (and there are plenty of options for that, ranging from dorms to apartments) are able to bike, or just walk. Personally, since I lived in Edmonds, which is about 20 minutes away from UW by car, I chose to take the bus. And living pretty far from the campus was actually not too bad. There were a lot of bus options to get there, whether I had to be there early or late, and it took me about an hour to get to school. In terms of safety, there are always a few reports every now and then, regarding stealing or some other violent acts, but never anything that led to fatal or severe consequences. To solve this issue, UW has implemented a policy, where you can contact a service that will personally pick you up and get you to where you need to go, within reasonable limits. A nd this service was completely free and often a good idea to use during the evening. Therefore, in terms of transportation and safety, the campus was really good. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Sebastian: For me, this really depends on the class. The larger, more general classes did not have too many office hours, since the professors were usually involved with other activities, such as research. The smaller classes, however, had plenty of one-on-one opportunities with the professors, so you could easily find extra time to catch up if you are falling behind. Personally, in the larger classes, if you are having trouble, I would recommend trying to set up a study group or find a personal tutor that would be able to work with you at a convenient time. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Sebastian: This is where I cant really answer the question, since I lived at home, with my parents. Therefore, the dorm life is not really familiar to me. However, in terms of socializing, there are many clubs available to students that post regular events that vary from parties to simple movie nights and various other activities. The clubs serve so many different purposes, ranging from representation of specific countries to different hobbies; you would always be able to find some place to fit in. Aside from that, there are opportunities for various parties that happen closer to the weekend and other events that are specific to the university, such as sports games, parades, etc. As for dining options, that was one of the best things about UW. Very close to the university, there is a street that is full of restaurants and bars, and there is always a place to get something to eat or to just have a few drinks with friends. The places are usually filled with people, and so are pretty en ergetic and have a good atmosphere. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Sebastian: I majored in General Biology, and therefore, am not too familiar with other majors. As for mine, it was pretty well supported. There were certain tutoring groups that were available to help out, and the advisers were also extremely helpful in setting up a working schedule for you. I definitely made use of the advisers in the Biology department, and was easily able to set up a class schedule that worked really well with the jobs and other extracurricular activities that I had going on at the time. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Sebastian: Im not sure about Greek life (I honestly dont really know what that means exactly), but in terms of making friends, I met a lot of people in my classes, with whom I still hang out today, even after I have graduated. I met a lot of students who I studied with at first and then ended up hanging out with, after our classes ended or I finished everything at UW. As I mentioned previously, attending clubs or signing up for various events or parties is a great way to meet people, since everyone is relaxed and not worrying about homework. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Sebastian: This one I cannot answer at all, since I never used the Career Center. During UW, I had a really good job of being an Organic Chemistry tutor, and when I graduated, I found a retail job and still continue with tutoring. Therefore, most of my financial matters were solved personally. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Sebastian: The libraries are very good. There are many libraries that are available to study at, and also plenty of study rooms that you are able to reserve. The study rooms were a perfect place to gather study groups in, since noise is not an issue, and everyone is able to participate in discussions, without worrying about bothering the people next to you. The libraries also have very helpful staff, if you are writing a research paper. There were multiple times when my starting point was to simply go to one of the main libraries, and talk to the staff there about where I should begin with my research. The only negative thing that I could mention (and it is not too big) is the availability of computers. There is only one library that has a large computer section, and if you are planning on getting together with a few people and need to find several computers next to each other, that could be pretty difficult, especially during the day, when the libraries are pretty full. If you only need one computer to do some work, however, it is not a problem. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Sebastian: UW has a small town called the U Village, located very close to the campus. The place has a few restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping centers. However, the place where most people go is the street right next to the university, commonly called The Ave. As I mentioned above, the street is filled with amazing places to eat, bars, coffee places, and just a lot of really cool places to relax after school. Furthermore, UW has one of the best fitness centers I have ever been to. The IMA contains a large pool, multiple basketball/volleyball/tennis courts, an inside track, weight rooms, and more. The place is absolutely amazing and definitely worth using, if you are a student at UW, since it is completely free for those who are enrolled at the university. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Sebastian: This really depends on the class you are taking. If you are taking a general class (such as general biology or general chemistry), there will be a lot of people there maybe around 500 or 600. However, once you finish the general classes and begin taking the more specific ones (the courses that really belong to your major), the class sizes decrease dramatically. Some of my smaller classes contained only about 20-30 people, which was a really nice change. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Sebastian: My most memorable experience was with my Organic Chemistry professor. When I began taking the class with him, I really enjoyed his teaching method, and would often stay for office hours, just to discuss certain things or to study with friends. After a while, we got to know each other pretty well, and he allowed me to be a TA for the first and second quarters of his Organic Chemistry classes. This briefly introduced to the world of teaching and I truly enjoyed the experience. I began making connections with the various students to whom I was explaining the many concepts of the class, and thus, private tutoring came up as a possible job opportunity. It is from that point, that I began tutoring and gathering students, some of whom I am still in contact with today. Check out Sebastians tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Bridging the Gap From Amateur to Professional Musician

Bridging the Gap From Amateur to Professional Musician Suzy S. Dreaming big? Keep it up! The road to becoming a professional musician is usually full of ups, downs, victories and frustrations and its up to you to stay focused. Whats the key? Here, Oakland teacher Arrica R. shares her strategy for success I’ve often been asked how I transitioned into being a professional musician, how I was able to license songs as well as open doors that helped me begin to make a living off of music. Being a musician is not a straight and narrow path though and Ive struggled with the answer to that question that is, until I reflected upon the best advice I was given: be prepared, as you never know from where the opportunities will be. Most opportunities I’ve had came from friends, friends of friends, or someone who came to a show after finding my music or seeing a favorable review online. You may never know when to expect it, but what you can work toward is preparing yourself for when it does. First and foremost, being a professional musician involves working on your craft. Educating yourself, bettering yourself and practicing regularly are at the top of the list. You must be as good as you can possibly be at any given moment. Youll always be learning and growing as an artist, but you must put in the time and effort for this to occur. Second, explore new avenues and spread your wings. The more you understand about music the better. If you are a great bass player and an average singer, continue working on your bass skills but you might want to work towards becoming a better singer as well. A bass player who also sings harmonies is invaluable. If you are a phenomenal singer but understand little to nothing about songwriting or you don’t play an instrument, it might be a good idea to learn. Even if you dont think you’ll ever be a great songwriter or instrumentalist, a basic understanding will allow you to contribute when working with others and also make you a better performer. Lastly, always have a product. A businessman won’t leave home without a business card and an actor can’t get by without a headshot. If you don’t have a huge budget that affords you time in a professional studio with expensive gear, find a way to record yourself even if you’re only recording demos at home. One of the most important steps I took was learning how to record quality demos of my songs and then having a product to help me get to the next level. I grew as a performer, and my songwriting improved dramatically once I learned basic pro-tools and could experiment with songs. In short, the best advice I can offer is to prepare yourself for everything you’ve ever hoped for in regards to a music career. The more prepared you are, the more opportunities will be yours for the taking. Never forget that you play music because you love it, but also don’t forget it’s a craft that you must work at diligently if you hope to turn your love of music into a career path. Join the TakeLessons community and receive exclusive updates, expert advice, tips and more!  Sign up for email updates here! Arrica R. teaches singing, music performance, music recording, and songwriting lessons to students of all ages in Oakland, CA. She joined the TakeLessons team in July 2012, with over 25 years of experience studying music.   Her music has also been featured and licensed by Starbucks, NBC, the CW Network, NikeWomen.com and MTV. Sign up for lessons with Arrica, or search for a teacher near you today! Photo by rocketjim45.

What is it Like to Attend Loyola University Chicago

What is it Like to Attend Loyola University Chicago The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Julie is a Chicago tutor and 2010 graduate of Loyola University Chicago. She holds degrees in both History and Secondary Education. Julie specializes ingeneral History tutoring, European History tutoring, Government tutoring, and World History tutoring. See what she had to say about Loyola: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Julie: Loyola is located on two campuses. The main campus is in Rogers Park and the downtown campus is located near Michigan Avenue. The main campus gives students the feel for what it is like to be on a college campus in an urban setting and the downtown campus gives students the chance to be in the heart of one of the largest cities in the United States. Loyola offers shuttle transportation between the two campuses on weekdays and since it is located in an urban environment, there are many ways to get around the city. The el or buses are only walks away from each of the campuses. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Julie: Loyola has the advantage of being a relatively large university, but still has classes and professors who understand the importance of individualized attention. The class sizes are smaller and professors are readily available during office hours, before and after class, as well as through email. Academic advisors are highly regarded at Loyola because they truly understand each of the programs. Students are not left wondering what classes need to be taken each semester because the advisors create individual plans for each student. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Julie: Loyola dorm life is one that centers on community. Freshman dorms encourage socialization and the RAs help plan activities. For upperclassmen, the dorms are converted apartment buildings, which give students the chance to still have campus housing, but explore what it is like to be in an apartment setting. Dining options are always available to all students and are easily accessible at both campuses. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Julie: Loyola offers a variety of majors and programs for all interests. Many students study biology and pre-med because of the opportunities for the medical school after graduation. I studied History and Secondary Education. The History Department is ranked 6th in the nation and the professors encourage students to explore topics that interest them in history. The School of Education provided me valuable experience in an urban setting that I still use in my teaching today. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Julie: It is very easy to meet people and make friends at Loyola. All freshmen attend an orientation the summer going into their freshman year. This gives students an opportunity to meet their classmates and explore the campus. There are many organizations on campus that help students become involved and living on campus helps create that sense of community. Greek life does not play a significant role in campus life, but there are organizations to join if students are interested. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Julie: The Career Center offers many services to students throughout the year. There are rsum building sessions and opportunities to attend job fairs. Each college has their own job fairs throughout the year as well. There are also a variety of student support services, such as tutoring, to help students academically. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Julie: Loyola has a variety of study areas throughout campus. Besides the lounges in the dorms, there is an Information Commons, which is part of the library, and there are study rooms for groups, as well as individual areas for quiet studying. The library at the downtown campus also has ample study space that students can use in-between classes and on the weekends. There is always a space at one of these for students to use and they are open late. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Julie: Since Loyola is located in the city of Chicago, there are constantly things to do both on and off the campus. Loyola encourages students to become involved with local organizations, but also provides on-campus events too. Loyola has a strong dedication to service so many organizations, such as local soup kitchens, schools, and libraries that like to have students volunteer with them. The chance to be in a city setting is a wonderful opportunity to explore the culture of Chicago. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Julie: There are roughly 15,000 students at Loyola. It is a nice size because it is in the middle. You still have the chance to get to know your classmates, but it is not an overwhelming size where you can become lost. The classes are average size where the professors know who you are and you can still receive attention. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Julie: One of my most memorable classes at Loyola was a history class I took for the Honors in History program. The entire class was dedicated to writing a research paper that you presented to the history department. This was an amazing opportunity for me because the paper was my own work and then I was able to prove my thesis to the faculty. This encouraged me to be confident and proud of my work. Check out Julies tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Quem fala inglês ganha mais

Quem fala inglês ganha mais Isso parece óbvio, mas merece ser quantificado. Uma recente pesquisa da Catho mediu o quanto faz a diferença de dominar o inglês, idioma internacional do mundo dos negócios.Os rendimentos variam de acordo com a posição. A exemplo, um presidente corporativo que fala com fluência o inglês ganha em média 4,6 vezes mais que um colega sem domínio na língua. Em níveis mais subalterno a média de diferença nos vencimentos é de 50% a mais.Uma das causas do “apagão de mão-de-obra“ no Brasil é a falta de competência linguística. Não existe um país tão grande quanto o Brasil onde, no dia a dia, se fala uma única língua. Esse monolinguismo deixa a economia brasileira vulnerável, perdendo competitividade e oportunidade no mercado internacional. A conseqüência é que quem possui total conforto em expressar em inglês é promovido, contratado, assume posições mais bem pagas.Recentemente visitei a trabalho uma empresa multinacional de logística. Fiquei espantado. As instalações são faraônicas e o pessoal bem-educado, líderes e envolvidos no mundo dos negócios. Todavia, para uma empresa que lida com exportação e importação com clientes em todo mundo, a hesitação em falar inglês é enervante.Conversei com vários analistas e executivos e quase todos me segredaram a falta de autoconfiança de expressar-se em inglês. Alguns possuíam um vocabulário até vasto, mas pecavam na pronúncia. Vários me disseram que usam sites de tradução para ler e mandar e-mails. Um técnico de TI aprendeu inglês de jogar online, apesar da boa pronúncia e gramática praticamente ignorava o vocabulário focal do inglês para negócios.Um simpático executivo me contou sua trajetória. Seu currículo não era tão impressionante, se formou em uma faculdade não lá muito conhecida e não fez MBA, em compensação falava inglês com ginga que parecia um falante nativo. Atribui sua ascensão na empresa à fluência da língua e entendimento cultural adq uirido em viagens pelo mundo. Ainda estava em um cargo júnior quando começaram a chamá-lo para intermediar negociações com executivos japoneses. Em pouco tempo seus superiores viram que seria melhor promovê-lo e dar autonomia de negociação, pois usar um intérprete não transmitia tanta confiança para seus interlocutores.Conhecer bem o inglês dá retornos como maior compensação salarial, reconhecimento, ajuda no crescimento interno, aumentam chances de networking.

Improving Your GMAT Quant Score Mental Math [Part 2]

Improving Your GMAT Quant Score Mental Math [Part 2] GMAT MBA Admissions Blog In a previous post on improving your GMAT Quant score, we discussed how certain GMAT Quant concepts are difficult because you may not have been exposed to them for many years â€" or you may never have learned them at all. If the latter case, it’s critical to invest the time and potentially money to learn these concepts via online videos, book, classes, or GMAT tutoring. Simply trying to do practice problems and then reading the answers as a learning strategy can be frustrating. In this post, we’ll cover the second proven way to increase your GMAT quant score â€" build your mental math skills. We’ll address the importance of mental math on the GMAT and provide some easy-to-implement ideas and tips for improving your mental math skills. The Importance of Mental Math on the GMAT We don’t need to spend a lot of time explaining why mental math is important on the GMAT. It’s a timed test, and most of us do end up pressed for time at the end. You also don’t have a calculator. If you need to know 40% of 70, it won’t take that long to write out 70 x 0.40 on a piece of paper, multiply 7 x 4 to get 28, carry the two, get 280, move the decimal, and feel confident that the answer is 28.0. However, it will take less time to say “10% of 70 is 7, and 7 times 4 = 28. 40% of 70 is 28. I was not good at this type of thing, but it pays to practice to get good at it, because those dozens of seconds of extra time you lose when you don’t use mental math turn into tens of dozens of seconds, and ultimately you have 5 fewer minutes at the end of the test, causing you to quickly guess on the last few problems. You want to avoid guessing on the GMAT. However, I’d also argue that Ideas for Improving Your Mental Math Skills When it comes to improving your mental math skills, here are some ideas: - Prime factor every number you see Calculate your tip by hand Check out mathfactcafe.com, and Memorize all the facts below: Prime factoring Innumber theory, theprime factorsof a positiveintegerare theprime numbersthat divide that integer exactly. The process of finding these numbers is calledinteger factorization, or prime factorization Squares Memorize squares from 2 through 25 (i.e., 2^2 = 4, 25^2 = 625) Cubes Memorize cubes from 2 through 11 Prime Powers: Definition: A prime number is a positive integer greater than 1 which is only divisible by itself and 1. For example, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are prime numbers. Fact: There are an infinite number of prime numbers Definition: Two integers are relatively prime if they have no common factors greater than one. For example 2 and 7 are relatively prime while 8 and 12 are not (they have common factors 2 and 4). Fact: A prime number is relatively prime to any integer except itself. Fact: The least common multiple of two relatively prime integers is their product. The greatest common divisor (greatest common factor) of two relatively prime integers is 1. Three Irrationals: In general the GMAT sticks with rational numbers (Fractions, Decimals, Percents, and Integers â€" the kind of numbers we’ve been seeing since grade school). Occasionally, the problem writers go rogue and introduce an irrational number, so it’s good to know a few useful approximations: Divisibility Rules: (2) A number is divisible by 2 if it ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. That is, it ends in a number divisible by 2 (4) A number is divisible by 4 if the last two digits form a number that is divisible by 4. A number is divisible by 4 if it is divisible by 2 twice (8) A number is divisible by 8 if the last three digits form a number that is divisible by 8. A number is divisible by 8 if it is divisible by 2 three times. (3) A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. For example 729 is divisible by 3 because 7 + 2 + 9 = 18 which is divisible by 3. I you have any doubt you can repeat the process â€" 1 + 8 = 9 which is divisible by 3 …and more Summary Improving your mental math will improve your GMAT Quant score. Discover Business has some helpful, quick mental math tips for saving time on the GMAT as well. If you’ve having trouble on GMAT quant, contact us for more ideas on how to prep. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

5 Parenting Resolutions for the New Year - Aloha Mind Math - ALOHA Mind Math

5 Parenting Resolutions for the New Year So it’s that time of the year again, when a whole year has rushed past in the blink of an eye. The children are a year older, and we parents need to come up with a whole new set of resolutions to be able to keep up with them. Joking aside, parents today need to keep ourselves updated with our kids needs, and to figure out how to do our best for our kids: Be more patient: Easier said than done, but most parents would name this virtue as their first need for parenting. Unless we are patient and able to look at a situation calmly, the simplest issue might feel tough to handle. There are many interesting books for parents to read on this subject, one of my favorites being “How to talk so your kids will listen…” Spend more time: This does not mean just being in the same space as your kids, but actually interacting and spending time with them. I am as guilty as any other parent of succumbing to the need of sitting with a laptop most of the time, even when the kids are around. It really helps to designate a “no gadget” time at home, which is applicable for the kids as well as you. Make it fun: This could be seen as an aftereffect of being patient too, but I think it’s very important that we take time to make things fun for ourselves and our kids. It is the small memories that are going to stay in their minds, and let’s work on making as many of these beautiful moments as we can. Mutual respect: The best way for kids to learn to respect those around them, is by receiving that respect themselves when at home. Yes, there will be times when you have to talk strictly to them, but treat them like individuals and they will definitely appreciate it. Give yourself a break: There are two ways of looking at this one, the first being that you should not beat yourself up over the small mistakes and upsets that happen to all of us. The other aspect being that as parents, we need some clear space and “me” time once in a while too. I am sure there are many more we can come up with as parents, but these are some of the top ones on my mind. If you’re looking for ways to creatively engage your child at times you might be busy, do check out our Math and English classes at Aloha.http://www.aloha-usa.com

Online Classes To Enhance Your Leadership Skills

Online Classes To Enhance Your Leadership Skills pexels.com Since it is an online class, you will not be physically meeting with people, but you will be most likely video chatting them of sorts and having that interaction. This builds leadership qualities because you have to initiate, evaluate and recommend. This all goes into managing not only your personal views, but also the classes when conversation gives. Creative writing classes force you to open up, face a room (even if it is a video chat room), and articulately state your position on a matter. You take away a special form of experience, and this allows you to further your knowledge on being a great, well-rounded leader. Going outside of your comfort zone teaches you a lot about what you are capable of, people. Take a research seminar. Hearing the term research may immediately make you cringe and internally cry, but there actually are research methods that are of your interest. I know, a tad difficult to believe. For instance, you can research the best fall styles, or why stars fall, or maybe even how to hold an audience when giving a speech or writing an article. The options are endless and I guarantee there is an online class that appeases you. A research seminar does what it sounds like, which is a conference detailing your area of research. In this case, the meetings probably take place relatively a few times a week and you discuss your personal findings. And what better way is there to learn how to be a competent leader than learning more along the way? There is none. This helps with leadership characteristics because you are forced to divulge and effectively express your topic and what your analysis is showing. Once again, it will be online so you will have to adequately voice your research via video or voice, so articulating your words is only half the battle. You will be fine though. Take a management class. This is a popular class offered mainly due to the fact that it helps. And that is the entire point, right? Most people have to manage, whether that be their time, money, or even people. If you lack that ability, then you are only making your job that much harder on yourself. So might as well learn how to better your managing skills. A lot of classes that you would want to take are in fact listed as an option. It does not just have to be a business analytics class, but a class that serves of interest to you. It can be about learning to cook, sew, or how to be happier. They all exist and help us lead correctly. Or if anything, teach us on how not to lead. That is always a smart learning approach. pexels.com Management classes can sound overwhelming and even slightly boring, but you just have to go into it with an open mind. You may be surprised at what you learn about yourself and how that affects other people when you are their superior. This way, you are once again effectively communicating. Online classes can definitely be intimidating, as well as prove to have levels of difficulty. You have to not only motivate yourself to “attend” class via a screen, but also take away from the learning opportunity. It can be a lot. There are endless subjects that you can take your class on, but you want to enroll in a lecture where you are going outside of your comfort zone, learning lessons that will apply to your situation, and gain knowledge on a certain subject. Half of being taught these leadership skills is actually using them in the real world. If you are able to get your point across and be the best manager that you can, then you are on your way to becoming an even better leader. Go get ‘em.